Hibbs

On May 10, 2006, AWANDA OPALHOLDREN (nee Hibbs); devoted wife of the late Arthur Holdren; beloved mother of Phyllis Killmeyer and Theresa Rogers. Also survived by grandchildren, Susan Killmeyer, Karen Stephenson and Doug Mc Kinney; great-grandchildren, Amanda and Nicholas. Funeral service at the Connelly Funeral Home of Essex, 300 Mace Avenue, on Friday, at 1 P.M. Interment Private. Visiting hours on Friday, 11:30 A.M. to 1 P.M.

Player of the Year Tyler Hibbs Arundel Hibbs didn't win 13 games as he did last season when he was named All-Metro Player of the Year, but the junior right-hander remained a force in the county at 6-2 with an 0.98 ERA. He struck out 86 in 57 innings, walked 14 and had three shutouts while setting school season records for batting average (.584) and hits (52). Hibbs also scored 31 runs and had 20 RBIs, 11 doubles, two triples and one homer. Hibbs was an outstanding shortstop when not pitching and has set school career records for hits (119)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR Tyler Hibbs Arundel This sophomore set a county record for wins in a season (13), with his last four victories coming in the postseason, as he led the top-ranked Wildcats to the Class 4A state title. Hibbs threw four innings in relief with nine strikeouts to post a 5-3 victory over C. Milton Wright in the state final. A repeat All-County selection, Hibbs was 13-1 with a 1.20 ERA and has 18 wins in two seasons. Hibbs played third base when he wasn't pitching and batted .424 (42-for-99)

JAMES R. CHAFFINCH of Denton, MD died March 18, 2007. Beloved husband of the late Irma Hibbs Chaffinch; dear father of Melinda Merwin, Janie Coyne, Susan Chaffinch and Candance Minner. Also survived by five grandchildren. Memorial service will be 3 P.M. at Christ Episcopal Church, 105 Gay Street, Denton, MD. Interment will be private in Denton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 428, Denton, MD 21629 or the Caroline Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 362, Denton, MD 21629.

4 County and regional titles for Severna Park lacrosse goalie Mike Gvozden. The four-time All-County pick also has led the Falcons to two state titles and is the first goalie to start and play in four state finals. 6 State girls lacrosse titles by Severna Park, the most by any school in Class 4A-3A since the tournament began in 1990. The Falcons have not won the title since 2001, however, and fell to Dulaney, 11-9, in this season's championship game. 13 Wins this season for Arundel sophomore Tyler Hibbs, tying the county record set by fellow Wildcat Mike Wesneski, who went 13-0 in 1979.

South River manager Ken Dunn tells his players that "the road to success is always under construction. " Fortunately for him, his team laid down some quality miles Thursday, while all visiting Arundel found were potholes in an 11-1 loss in an Anne Arundel County league game that ended after six innings because of the ten-run rule. The No. 4 Seahawks (1-0, 1-0) rode the arm and the bat of pitcher Scott Mitchell. The senior threw a three-hitter, striking out eight and keeping No. 5 Arundel (0-1, 0-1)

Franklin coach Larry Meekins believes it's not a coincidence that the number of outstanding pitchers in the metro area is at a high point as more and more high school pitchers seek personal instruction and strength training in the offseason. Meekins, who serves as a pitching coach at former Oriole Larry Sheets' Players School and Clinic in Westminster, said he is amazed at the number of parents who are seeking personal instruction for their kids. "When I started with Larry seven to eight years ago, I thought it might not be worth it for kids to get the extra personal instruction, but I was wrong," said Meekins, an All-Metro pitcher at Franklin in 1970 who went on to pitch at Clemson and in the minor leagues.

MARIE A. MOTTER left us to be with her loved ones on April 13, 2004, after a long illness. She was born 96 years ago in Mc Keesport, PA, where she married George Hibbs in 1930. He preceded her in death in 1959 and later she married Marshall Motter who died in 1996. She is survived by her daughter, Jean Patton, and step-son Larry Motter, 3 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Celebration of her life will be held at 4 P.M. on May 4, 2004, at Mountain View Mortuary Chapel.

ANNE ARUNDEL -- Although only a sophomore, Arundel pitcher-third baseman Tyler Hibbs is leading the Wildcats in their pursuit of an unprecedented 10th baseball state title. BALTIMORE COUNTY -- Catonsville senior Matt McDaniel has won the past two county singles tennis titles, but he also is a standout student who does not define himself by athletic achievements. CARROLL -- Century's Dana Reeser is aiming for her third straight state title in the shot put - and the state record. HARFORD -- Having developed into one of the area's top hurdlers and sprinters, Kristin Baxivanos of Fallston looks to put an exclamation point on her high school career with a state title.